System of and apparatus for signaling



1930. E, AMYOT 1,746,921

SYSTEM OF AND APPARATUS FOR SIGNALING Filed Sept. 5, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet l Feb. 11, 1930. 1 E AMYOT 1,746,921

SYSTEM OF AND APPARATUS FOR SIGNALING Filed Sept. 5, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 11, 1930. E, AMYQT 1,746,921

SYSTEM OF AND APPARATUS FOR SIGNALING Filed Sept. 5, 1924 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 J/ gi f 50a 5/2 ya W2 o r 264( i/f i I; 1 506 1. 27a l i i 23057@ f Feb. l1, 1930. J. E. AMYoT SYSTEM OF AND APPARATUS FOR SIGNALING 4 sheets-sheet 4 Filed Sept. 5, 1924 Parental Fea/11,1930

" UNI-TED STATES' JOSEPH EMILE PATENT I oifificlzvl AMY OT, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR TO RUEL C. STRAT- TON, O'F PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND, AS

TRUSTEE SYSTEM OF AN D AIE'IPARAIU'Sv FOR lSIG'NALING v Application filed September 5, 1924. SeralNo. 736,160.

My invention relates to an improved method of and improved apparatus for signaling. It is especially designed and adapted for use for signaling traffic at street intersections. l

I am aware that various devices for signaling traiiic at street intersections have been employed. Most of these project beams o f light in horizontal paths and ymay be periodically turnedby hand or other mechanism. While I am aware that images of shaped light sources and filaments have been projected for various purposes, so far as I am aware no one has to date conceived of projecting shaped images of light sources on a medium, preferably a street corner to indicatethe desired direction of traiiic travel which images moreover may be shifted periodically orv otherwise to indicate changes in traliic travel. lVhile images of any shaped light source may be employed, in my preferred embodiment I employ a shaped filament in an incandescent electric light as my light source and pro-v ject that by means of a plurality of lenses on a plurality of points on the ground. 1While I am aware that images of shaped lamp filaments have been projected for advertising and other purposes, so far as I am aware no one has to date furnished apparatus for traffic signaling employing a shaped filament. shaped filament is admirably adapted for this purpose, especially where a high powered lamp is used, so that a projected image thereof may be visible in the sun light. As eX- plained, with the use of my apparatus a plurality of images of the shaped light source may be projected on the street or pavement,

preferably one image at the desired position on each stieet'near the intersection. Though one image of a shaped filament has been projected, so far as I ain aware no one has to date projected for signaling purposes a plurality of ima-ges in different directionshespecially in an apparatus in which the direction of said images may be changed to indicate the desired changes in traflic travel.

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved incandescent electric lamp having an arrow shaped filament especially adapted to this use.

While my invention is peculiarly adapted for use where the intersecting streets meet at right angles, I provide'a device which may be turned to and is universally adjustable for any angle at which the streets may intersect. I provide a device in which the amount of orientation of the movable member may be readily adjusted so that the arrow may point substantially in the right direction whatever angle the intersecting streets may make with each other and in which the lenses may be universally adjusted to correspond onv the lamp with the set direction of the shaped light source and the desired portions of the intersecting streets. A further object of my invention is thus to provide a unitary structure vhich may be used with slight adjustments rfor streets intersecting at any angle.

b A further object of my invention where employing a shaped light source such as the double headed arrow shown in'my improved embodiment is to so situate the lenses that the spherical aberration of said lenses will cut off one of the heads of each projected arrow, thereby producing on the ground the image of an arrow with the one visible head indicating the desired direction of traffic travel. It is to be noticed that in myinvention I make used of. two Afeatures which former inventors always endeavored to avoid namely, the employment of the spherical aberration of the lenses to accomplish a definite result and the projecting of a filament image in clear cut form, whereas former inventors have done everything possible to of the filament image.

A further object of my invention is to provide in a device of this description means for heat insulating the electro-magnetic actuating mechanism from the lamp.`

A further object of my invention is to provide an improved means for focusing the images and readily directing the images on any desired spots on the ground. v A further object of my invention is to provide in an apparatus of this description a sound device which functions in synchronism with the changing of the images. A continuous sound is made slightly before the changing of the images in my preferred embodi-A avoid the projection lai" "images on the ground.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatical representation of two street corners intersecting at other than right angles, showing the direction of the projected images with my apparatus adjusted therefor.

Fig. 3 is a detailed sectional view of my lamp and turning mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4 4 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a detailed view of the escapement mechanism taken along the line 5 5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a detailed side elevation of a modified form of lamp` revolving mechanism especially adapted for use for street intersections at angles other than right angles or for more than two streets.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along the line 7 7 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 8 is aside elevation of myl preferred form of lamp revolving mechanism.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the universally adjustable ratchet employed in my lamp revolving mechanism. I

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken alongvthe line 10 10 of Fig. 3, showing the lens assembly in detail.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken along the line 11 11 of Fig. 3, showing the electric contact brushes which form a continuous contact for the revolving lamp. n

Fig. 12 is a reverse detailed plan view of the arrow shaped iilament.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged sectional view of the means I employ for universally mounting the lenses to permit adjustment for street intersections of varying angles.

Fig. 14 is a sectional view of an attachment to be snapped around a lamp to produce an arrow shaped image where an arrow shaped filament is n ot employed.

Fig. 15 is a plan view of the attachment shown in Fig. 14.

In the drawings, wherein like characters of reference indicate like parts throughout, and 21 generally indicate two intersecting streets. In Fig. 1 said streets are sho-wn intersecting at approximately right angles. Adjacent to said street intersections, I mount my improved signaling apparatus 23. While any suitable means for mounting my improved signaling apparatus 23 may be employed in the preferred embodiment shown in Fig. 1, said apparatus is mounted on the cross arm 25 suitablymounted on a pole 26 which'may be conveniently mounted on the sidewalk 27 adjacent to said street'intersection. Said cross arm-25 is verticallyv adjustswitch 29 which may be manually operated\ at the pole 26 or may be electrically or otherwise operated from a central station. -The wires 30 lead to a central station for use where this means of control is desired.

In the diagrammatical view shown as Fig. 1, the images 32, 33, 34 and 35 are shown projected on to the right hand side of the intersecting streets 20, 21", 20", and 21" respectively. Thes'e images are shown in heavy lines when they are so situated to permit assage of traiic through street 21 and cut o trailic through street 20 and in dotted lines to permit passage of traiiic through street 20 and to cut olf trailic through street 21 when said images have been turned to denote changes in traic travel. It will be observed that although a double headed arrow has been employed the lenses can be so located that the spherical aberration of the lenses cuts off one head of the arrow so that the arrow points in the desired direction of traiic travel.

In Fig. 2 the streets 20 and 21 intersect at other than right .angles and the images 32, 33, 34 and 35 may be set in the positions they will take when my apparatus is adjusted for use in street intersections of this description.

If the image receiving portions are painted a light color it is obvious that the images will show up much better than on a dark background.

Having generally described in a diagrammatical manner the functioningV of my a paratns as well as showing how it may ge conveniently mounted adjacent to a street intersection and operated either manually or from a central station, I will now describe in detail my preferred embodiment.

As explained the chief elements of my invention are roughly means to produce a sha ed light beam, means interposed in the patii of said light beam to produce multiple shaped images of said light beam in diiferent directions on a medium, preferably the ground, means to change the location of said images, and means to emit sound signals in synchronism with changes in the location of said images. In my preferred embodiment shown all said means are convenientl contained in one unita a paratus. naling apparatus 23,?or eat insulating purposes is conveniently dividedinto two compartments, the up r com artment 40 which P0. P

vin

56 and provided at its lower end with the an-- nular lip 58 and at its upper end on the outer periphery thereof with screw threads 60. The upper end of the compartment 40 is provided with the circular hole 62. The upper portion of the shade 64 is also provided with the circular hole 66. The male member 54 is pushed through the hole 62 in the upper compartment 40 and the hole 66 in the shade 64, the lip 58 thereof supporting said compartment 40 and shade 64. The male memberV 54 is then inserted in the female extension 51, the threads 60 of the male member thus projecting above the female extension 51. The ca 68 having internal screw threads 69 is then t readed over the threaded end 60 of the male member 54 thereby binding the circular edges of the upper compartment 40 and shade 64 between the lower end of the female member 51 and the lip 58 of the male member and conveniently supporting my invention on the end of the cross arm 25.

The lower compartment 46 may be conveniently riveted as at 7 O to the lower edge of the upper compartment 40. While said compartments are referably constructed out of metallic material a layer of asbestos 72 or other suitable heat insulating material may be conveniently inserted between the' metallic layers for heat insulating purposes. The lower compartment 46 comprises the metallic tube 74 thus depending from the upper compartment 40 and the globe 7 6 attached to the lower end of said tube 74. The globe 76 is preferably constructed of a transparent material such as glass, and is adapted to contain the light source 48. The means to produce multiple images of said shaped light source in my improved embodiment the lenses 50 are suitably mounted within the lower end of the globe 76 in a manner to be described.

As explained, so far as I am aware any means to produce a shaped light beam which may be projected is new in traffic signaling devices of this description and while I have shown in Figs. 14 and 15 a device which may be snapped on-to the bulb of an incandescent y Sie' cent filament or a burning wick, or whethei the shaped light beam is produced' from a source of any shape and shaped before being 1projected onto the lenses 50 as shown in -igs. 14-15.

' The advantages of having a shaped brilliant source are greater efciency, easier projection,A and greater brilliancy of image produced and therefore I have shown as my preferred embodiment an incandescent electric lamp 48 having conveniently supported therein the double headed arrow shaped filament 80. Said lamp 48 comprises the usual base82 on which the filament terminals 84 are mounted, bulb 49 the filament 80 and filament support 86. Any suitable means of conveniently support-ing an arrow shaped filament in an incandescent electric lamp may be employed. As explained so far as I am aware filaments in the form of an arrow. are new in incandescent electric lamps. Fig. 12 shows in detail the shape of the filament 80, the filament terminals 84,l and the support 86, the helically wound ,filament being mounted thereon in the shape of an arrow having the two heads 80 and 80h.- In order that my device may properly function, the arrow is shaped tov extend in an horizontal manner when suitably secured in my signaling devices23 and thus in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of the base 82.

Tov effect'a vchange in position or in the direction ofthe pointing of said arrow 80, said lamp 48 is revolvably mounted within the lower compartment 46 preferably on means 90 depending from the upper compartment 40 for this purpose. In my preferred embodiment, said means preferably comprises the spindle 90 suitably vertically mounted withinthe upper casing 40, the upper end 92 of said spindle'being conveniently mounted in the bearing 94 which may conveniently be attached as at 96 to the upper edge of the upper compartment 40. Said shaft 90 is conveniently retained inn position on the lower edge of theupper compartment 40 by means of the ball bearing 98, the lower por` tion 100 thereof being fixedly secured to the lower edge of the upper compartment and the upper portion 102 revolving on balls 104 contained in a race-way provided therefore on said portions. The base 82 of the lamp is conveniently attached to said shaft 90 by any suitable means such as the hollow collar 110 secured to said base which is adapted toreceive the lower end of the shaft 90 and to be secured thereto by the screw 112. In Figs. 14 and 15 I have shown an attachment 114 for producing a double headed arrow shaped light beam. Said attachment 114 is preferably semi-spherical in shape and as shown in Fig. 3 has the brackets 116 projecting upwardly therefrom adapted to be snapped around the bulb of an incandescent lamp to attach it thereto and at its lower end the double headed arrow shaped slit 118. Vhile any other means to produce a shaped light beam may be employed as shown in my preferred embodiment I preferably employ means which may be conveniently mounted in my signaling apparatus 23 as is my improved incandescent lamp 48.

In my preferred embodiment I provide electrical means both for creating the light source 48 and for actuating the solenoid 120. The wires 122 for this purpose may be conveniently contained within the hollow pole 26 and hollow cross arm 25, extend through the hollow end of said cross arm 25a and downwards through the hollow male member 54 into the upper compartment 40. The solenoid wires 122aL are conveniently attached to the solenoid in a manner to be described. The cross arm 25 may be provided with the slit 124 through which the arm 126 of the clamp 128 which is conveniently attached to the wires 122 may project whereby said electric control cable 122 may be manually adjusted from without. The lamp wires 122b project downwards through the upper compartment 40 where they are preferably split up into the wires 1221 and the wires 122k. Said wires 122V and 122V are suitably led through the holes provided therefor in the lower edge of said compartment 40 and have the brushes 128 suitably mounted on the lower ends thereof which thus project into the lower compartment 46. As shown in Fig. 11, the upper surface 130 of the base 82 of the electric lamp is provided with the metallic rings 132 and 134. The ring 134 is smaller in diameter and contained within the ring 132. One filament terminal 84 is suitably connected to the outer ring 132 and the other filament terminal 84 is suitably connected to the inner ring 134. The contact brushes 128 are adapted to brush over the revolving connecting rings 132 and 134 respectively to thereby form a continuous circuit to cause the lamp 48 to function during its revolving movement.

As explained my preferred method employs means to project multiple images of a shaped light source in different directions on a medium. While any suitable means may be employed for this purpose in my improved embodiment shown I provide a plurality of double convex glass lenses suitably mounted within my signaling apparatus 23 in line with the means to produce the shaped light beam and the points on the ground on which said multiple images are desired to be projected.

In my preferred embodiment, as explained, the lower compartment 46 comprises the tubular extension 74 and the globe 76 suitablyl lprovide. a removable split ring 143, having the hinge lug 146 adapted to project between the ears 142 of the ring 141 and to be pivotally secured thereto by the hinge pin 148, and at its ends with the locking lugs 146a adapted to project between the hinge ears 142a and to be removably secured therebetween by the locking pin 150. The inner periphery of said split ring is provided with an annular channel 149 adapted to receive the outwardly projecting fiange 140 of the globe 76. The lower end of said hollow globe 76 is provided with the annular flange 152 identical in construction to the annular flange 140 heretofore described adapted to register in the channel 153 in the split ring 156. The lens'supports 154 and 155 are secured to the lower end of the globe 76 by split rings 156 and 156a substantially identical in construction to the split ring construction heretofore described for detachably securing the globe 76 to the tube 74.

To transparently enclose the lower end of the hollow globe 76 and to provide means for mounting the main lens support 154 centrally thereof I provide the flat annular glass portion 155 having an outwardly projectingannular flange 158 on the enlarged upper portion thereof adapted to register in a channel 160 provided for this purpose in the locking ring 156:11. Said annular portion 155 preferably tapers outwards and is provided with y the-central hole 162 for a purpose about to be described. The main lens support comprises the hollow tube 154 having the central ventilating hole 164 therein and having the lower outer periphery thereof threaded at 166 for a purpose to be described. A hollow thimble member 170 having threads on its entire inner periphery as at 172 and on its lower outer periphery as at 174 is provided to suitably secure said main lens support 154 to said annular glass portion 155. Said thimble member 170 is provided at its upper end with the outwardly projecting annular lip 176. To Secure said main lens' support 154 within said annular glass portion 155 insert the thimble 170 preferably having the main lens support 154 threaded therein, the threads 166 thereof co-acting with the threads 172 on the inner peripher of said thimble, within the hole 162 in t e annular portion 155 from above until the annular flange 176 contacts the sides of said annular glass portion 155 adjacent to the hole thereb limltingits downward movement. The ockin nut 178 internally threaded as at 17 9 may e screwed on to the external threaded outer periphery 174 of said thimble 170 until it contacts the lower edge of the sides of said annular glass portion 155 thereby firml and adjustably securing said thimble 1 0 and enclosed lens support 154 to the annular glass portion 155. The upper portion of said main lens support is provided with means to adjustably mount the individual lens supportsf180 therein. Said individual lens supports 180 are of similar construction to magnifying lass holders having annular portions 182 a apted to enclose the individual double convex lenses 50 and handles 184 projecting therefrom adapted to be secured to said main lens support 154. Said handles 184 may be conveniently pivotally broken as at 186 to permit an up and down adjustment thereof to vary the position of the images on the ground.

The upper portion of said mainv lens support 154 above the threaded lower end 166 thereof is provided first with the annular radially projecting flange 190, (Fig. 13) and a central portion 192 of smaller diameter projecting upwardly centrally from said flange 190 and has the outer periphery 194 of the upper portion thereof suitably threaded as at 195. The inner ends of said handles 184 are provided with the flat annular washers 196 respectively one for each individual lens holder 180. A locking washer 197 is provided for the upwardly projecting end 194 of said main lens support 154 and the locking nut 198 having the thread 199 on its inner periphery is also provided. -A lens 50 with corresponding lens holders 180 and individual Washers 196 for each lens holder 180 are provided as explained. These may then be adjusted radially of the main lens support 154 until the centre of each lens is on a line with the means to produce the shaped light beam 48 and the desired positions on the intersecting streets. -It is obvious that a lens 50 is provided for each portion of the intersectin streets on which images are to be projecte The lock nut 198 is loosened on the threaded top 194 of the main lens support 154, the washers 196 are then individually adjusted until the centre of each lens' is in the desired position, when the lock nut 198 may be screwed down thereby binding the washers 196 in the desired position between the lock nut 198 and annular ange 190 of the main lens support 154. It is obvious that I F have provided means to universally adjust said lenses over street intersections of varying angles and at varying elevations. Though I have shown a plurality of lenses universally adjustable it is obvious that one image of my shaped light source or a plurality of images in one set position may be provided withmy invention.,

As explained, preferably provide means i to change the location of the projected images on the ground to indicate changes in the desired direction of traiiic travel. 'As also explained these means may be manually, electrically or otherwise actuated and means may be provided to periodically change the location of said images at refrular periodic intervals. As illustrated in ig. 1 and as heretofore explained, said images take the form in my preferred embodiment of an arrow having one head pointing in the desired direction of traiiic travel. While a different signaling apparatus 23 may be especially constructed to operate for any given street intersection I preferably provide means for universally adj usting the pointing of the arrows so that they may point in line with the intersecting streets 20 and 21 and thus each individual apparatus 23 may be adjusted on the job for street intersections of any angle as shown in Fig. 2. The means I employ to turn the shaped light source including the filament 80 and lamp 48 preferably comprise gravity actuated mechanism to revolve said lamp through predetermined angles, a solenoid to periodically actuate said revolving mechanism and means to energize said solenoid. The lamp 48 is mounted on the shaft 90 as` explained. The shaft 90 has the bevel gear 202 keyed thereto. Brackets 204, (Fig. 4.) are suitably mounted on the base of the upper compartment 40. Mounted horizontally in suitable bearings 206 in said brackets 204 is the small spindle 208. At one end thereof adapted to enmesh the bevel gear 202 on the vertical shaft 90, the

vbevel gear 210 is keyed thereto. A ratchet 212 is also keyed to said small cross shaft 208, (Fig. 8). Loosely mounted on said shaft 208 adjacent to said ratchet 212 is the operating lever 214 having on the weight arm thereof the weight 216 and on the oppositely disposed power arm 218thereoffthe operating trigger 220. On an extension 222 of said operating lever 214 in the preferred embodiment shown in Figs. 3, 4, 8 and 9 I pivot the pawl 224.

' The ratchet teeth 226 are adjustable to regulate the amount of orientation of said lamp 48 for streets intersecting at various angles my improved embodiment being shown with eight teeth spaced equally apart and the ratio of the bevel gears 202 and 210 being two to one so as to revolve the filament 90 degrees for the streets 20 and 21 intersecting at approximately the right anglesas shown in igs. 1 and 9. To substantially universally adjust the position of said ratchet teeth 226 on the ratchet wheel 228, it is provided on its outer periphery with a series of equally spaced threaded radial holes 230. Each adjustable ratchet tooth 226 is provided with a hole 232 and slot to receive therein the screw 234. Itis obvious that byattaching said ratchet teeth 226 to said ratchet wheel 228 in any of said threaded radial holes 230 anadjustment for street intersections of various angles can be readily provided. It is obvious that by means of this adjustment the filament 80 or shaped light source used, may be turned an amount to .point along streets intersecting at any angles when the lenses 50 are suitably set as previously explained. A suitable stop 236 may be provided for the weight 216 to rest on in the base of the upper compartment 40.

In Fig. 6 I have shown a slight-ly modified form of my invention which has its attendant advantages and disadvantages. In this embodiment the ratchet gear 212 is integral with the operating lever 214. To insure more even functioning of my apparatus I provide a safety locking device about to be described. A locking disk 240 is keyed to the shaft`208 with the bevel gear 210. Said locking device 240 has radial slots 242 cut on its outer periphery to correspond with the desired angles of orientation of the shaft 90 and hence of the shaped light source 80. In this embodiment the pawl 224 is keyed to the side of the safety disk 240 and is adapted to engage the evenly toothed ratchet 212. A spring 244 projects from said bracket 204 and has its outer end 246 bent over to form a hook to engage in the radial notches 242 in said disk 240. A portion of said operating lever 214 is provided with the cam extension 248 adapted to engage the hook 246 on the spring 244 to kick 1t out of engagement with the said radial slots 242. The advantages of this construetion are a more even functioning of the operating lever, and a locking of the shaft 90 after it has been turned the desired amount. The disadvantage of this construction is that a new locking disk 240 has to be provided for each different street intersection.

The power arm 218 of the operating lever 214 is provided with a trigger 220 suitably pivoted thereto and retained in position by the coil spring 250 having one end thereof secured to the power arm 218 of the operating lever 214 and the other end thereof secured to the pivoted trigger 220 to throw the trigger 220 down to lowered position until the extension 252 on the lower end abuts the lower side of the power arm 218.

The operating lever 214, the weight arm 216 of which causes said gravity actuated mechanism to revolve said lamp through predetermined angles as heretofore explained may be conveniently actuated by the solenoid and plunger mechanism about to be described, though any means may be provided for this purpose. A solenoid 120 is suitably mounted in a housing 262 made therefor and is mounted on the upper compartment 40 adjacent to the joint securing the signaling apparatus 23 on the end of the cross arm 25. An ordinary solenoid suitably wound with wires 264 may be employed. The operating wire 122l is suitably led through the hollow male member 54 and out through the upper compartment 4"' and has one terminal 122B thereof connected to one terminal 266 of said solenoid and the other terminal 122W connected to the opposite terminal 268 of said solenoid. Said solenoid 120 is provided with the usual plunger 270. Said plunger 270 is adapted to slide up and down within the core 274. The lower portion 278 of said plunger is rod-shaped, extends through a bearing 280 therefor in the base of the lower compartment 40 and has attached to the lower end thereof the operating Weight 282. A lug 284 projects sidewise from said plunger 270 within said upper compartment 40 to actuate the trigger 220 of the operating lever 214. It is obvious therefore that said plunger 270 is limited in its upward movement by its weight 282 contacting the lower surface of the bearing 280 and in its downward movement by the lower rack teeth 290 contacting the upper surface of the bearing 280.

The operation of the revolving mechanism is as follows: Assuming the apparatus is in the position shown in Fig. 8 with the solenoid 120 electrically energized and the plunger 270 raised therein. lVhen current is out off from the solenoid 120, the weight 282 causes the plunger 270 to drop, the lug 284 contacting the trigger 220 then raises the operating lever 214 to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8, the pawl 224 sliding over the adjustable ratchet teeth 226 in the ratchet wheel 228. The operating lever` is pivoted such a distance from the lug 284 that as the plunger 270 reaches the limit of its down stroke the trigger 220 will swing clear of the lug 284 thus permitting the weight 216 to lift back the operating lever 214 to the position shown in Fig. 3, the pawl 224 then engaging the adjustable teeth 226 on the ratchet 228 causing the shaft 208 and attached bevel gear 210 to revolve thereby causing revolution of the bevel gear 202 and vertical shaft 90 to revolve the desired predetern'lined amount corresponding with the desired changes in orientation between street intersections to permit the filament 80 to point in the desired position over each intersecting street. When the solenoid 120 is again energized the plunger.270 will be drawn upwards, the lug 284 will strike the trigger 220, and as this is provided with the spring 250 it will pivot freely to permit upward passage of the lug 284, thereby permitting the plunger 270 to be raised toits upper position as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8. After the lug 284 has passed the trigger 220 the spring 250 will cause the trigger 220 to resume its former position, the extension 252 then abutting the `lower surface of the power arm 218 of the operating lever 214. Each time the solenoid is energized this cycle of operations will be repeated andthe lamp filament 80 will turn the desiredpredetermined amount. It is obvious that the turning of said filament 80 may be periodic or otherwise as desired. The

u brushes 128 contacting the rings 132 and 134 will permit a continuous electrical contact with the .light thereby insuring that the light is lighted at all times.

Where` the embodiment of my invention shown in'Fig. 6 is employed, as the trigger 220 is dropped to its lowest position, the cam surface 248 will kick the hook 246 out of the slot 242 in the safety disk 240 in which it is then engaged and as the trigger 220 starts on its upward movement, the ratchet 212 integral with the-operating lever 214 will revolve the disk 240.- integral with the cross shaft 208 and thus the lamp shaft 90 until the safety hook 246 again registers in the next adjacent radial notch 242 locking the cross shaft 208 against further rotation and hence preventing further rotation ofthe lamp. The rest of the apparatus functions in similar fashion to that described in my preferred embodiment.

While my invention functions preferably as heretofore described to denote changes in the desired direction of traffic travel, it is often times desirable to have a sound signal to warn trailic of the shiftin of the images to denotechangesimthe tra c travel, and I therefore preferablyprovide in combination with the apparatus described a sound device and means to actuate said sound device in synchronism with the functioning of said lamp revolving mechanism. While any suitable sound device may be employed such as one stroke of a bell, in my preferred embodiment I provide the gong 42 suitably mounted around the compartments and 46 and enclosed by the shade 64 and I provide the escapement mechanism 44 to actuate the hammer 45 to ring the gong a plurality of times slightlybefore changes in the direction of the images. For this purpose I provide the side of the upper portion of the plunger 27 0 underneath the solenoid with the rack teeth 290. Suitably mounted in brackets 292 extending from the side of the upper compartment 40 are the?.` escapement arbors I 294 and 296.

' Loosel ...mounted on the hammer arbor 294 the sleeve 310 to which the bell hammer 48 isl attached'. and which also contains the pallet 312. Said pallet 312 is preferably provided with the two teeth 314 to more evenly regulate the functioning of the escapement movement. The escapement motion is thus arranged `to only operate on the down stroke of the plunger to cause strokes of the hammer 45 against the gong 42 to give warning' of changes in tralic travel.

As the plunger 270 falls downward the rack teeth 290'therein cause the pinion 298 to revolve, the pawl 300 projecting from the side thereof engaging the teeth in the ratchet gear 302, revolving the arbor 294 and pinion 304 keyed thereto. The pinion 304 thus revolves the pinion 306 on the arbor 296 and also the escapement wheel 308 keyed thereto. The

teeth 314 of the pallet 312 register in the teeth in the escapement wheel 308 and cause the bell hammer 45, which is loosely mounted on the sleeve 310 integral with the pallet 312 on the arbor 294 to oscillate the desired number of times thereby causing the hammer 45 to strike the gong 42 a predetermined number of times. On the 11p-stroke of the plunger 270 the teeth 29.0 will cause the pinion 298 to revolve in a reverse direction. As this is loosely mounted on the arbor 294, it is obvious that the pawl 300 will merely slide over the teeth of the ratchet gear 302 withoutcausing a turning movement thereof.

As explained, the embodiment shown in Figs. 3 9 is setffor streets intersecting at approvimately right angles as shown' in Fig. 1, the lenses 50 being set in the main lens support 154 at approximately 90 degrees from each other making their central portions approximately in line with the spots near the street intersections on which it is -desired to project the images of the shaped light source 48. As heretofore explained, an"l arrow having a head 80a and 80b on each end is provided, and the lenses 50 are so adjusted relative to said arrow 80 that the spherical aberration of said lenses 50 will cut off one head of the arrow ineach image projected on the street thereby providing an arrow having one head only pointing in the desired direction of traffic travel. Where the streets 20 and 21 intersect at other than right angles, the lenses 50 may be universally adjusted in line with tlie various streets las heretofore explained l and the revolving mechanism may be adjusted 'by means of changing the bevel gears 202 and 210 and the position of the ratchet teeth 226 on the ratchet wheel 230to point the arrow in the direction to correspond, as hereto..` fore explained. The method of, mounting my improved signaling apparatus on the end of the cross arm 25 has already been explained as Well as the shifting of the position of the filament 80 by means of the .gravity actuated mechanism on energizing of the solenoid. As also explained, said solenoid may be energized at will to denote changes in the desired directionl of travel or it may be periodically automatically shifting of said images.

In my im roved signaling device as heretofore explained I have provided the heat insulating covering 72 to insulate the upper compartment 40 which contains the revolving mechanism from the lamp globe 48. I also provide the ventilation hole 164 in the main lens support 154 to introduce cold air within the lower compartment 46 and I provide a plurality of Ventilating holes 320 radially of the metallic tube 7 4 to draw out the hot air from said lower compartment. As is apparent the bell hammer 45 may project through one of these Ventilating holes 320 thereby giving it sufiicient room to oscillate.

It is obvious that I have provided an imactuated to cause the proved method of signaling, especially adapted for use to control traflic at street intersections, but which may be used for other purposes, an improved apparatus therefor, and an improved specific form of an electric lamp having a double headed arrow shaped filament especially adapted for this purpose.

I employ the word ground to include the surface on which the traffic signaling images are projected, whether it be the natural surface, or an ai'tifically constructed one, or elevated or below the surface of the ground or Whether it be in the open or enclosed in a structure or otherwise so long as it is the surface on which traffic proceeds.

I employ the word street to include anyV avenue of traffic.

It is understood that my invention is not limited to the specific processess described or embodiments shown and that various deviations may be made therefrom without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Vhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. The herein described method of traffic signaling which comprises simultaneously projecting shaped direction indicating iinages on a predetermined area of the ground indicative of the desired direction of traffic travel and changing the direction of said images to indicate changes in the desired direction of traffic travel substantially Within said area.

2. The herein described method of signaling which comprises simultaneously projecting multiple images of a shaped direction indicating light source in several different directions on a medium and changing the direction of said images.

3. The herein described method of signaling traffic which comprises simultaneously projecting multiple images of a shaped light source in several different directions on a predetermined area of the ground each image being indicative of the desired direction of traffic travel and changing the direction of said images to indicate changes in the 'desired direction of traic travel substantially within said area.

4. In a signaling device, the combination of a shaped 1i ht source, means interposed in the path of t e rays from said light source to project multiple images thereof in different positions on a medium and means to change the direction of said shaped light source and hence the position and direction of said images.

5. In a signaling device, the combination of an incandescent electric lamp having a shaped filament, lenses interposed in the path of the light rays from said filament to project in different positions images thereof on a medium and means to chan e the direction of said lamp and shaped lament and hence the position and direction of said images. n

6. In a signaling devicethe combination of a double headed arrow shaped light source, a plurality of lenses, means positioning said lenses in the path of light rays facing different directions from said light source to project in different directions images thereof on a medium and means to change the position of said light source and hence the location of said images, the lenses being so placed in relation to the light source that the spherical aberration of the lenses cuts off one head of the arrow in each projected arrow image.

7 In a signaling device, the combination of a double headed arrow shaped light source, and a plurality of lenses, means positioning said lenses in the path of light rays facing different directions from said light source to project in different directions images thereof on a medium, the lenses being so placed in relation to the light source that the spherical aberration of the lenses cuts ofi' one head of the arrow in each projected arrow image.

8. In a traffic signaling device, a revolublo shaped direction indicating light source, means to mount said light source adjacent to the intersection of streets, means to project shaped images of said light source on desired locations with respect to said intersection and means to revolve said light source through angles corresponding to the angles between the intersecting streets to change the direction of the respective projected images to indicate the desired changes in traffic travel.

9. Ina trafiic signaling device, a revoluble incandescent electric lamp having an arrow shaped filament, means to mount said lamp adjacent to an intersection of streets, means to project images of said arrow shaped filament on desired locations with respect to said intersection and means to revolve said lamp and filament through angles corresponding to the angles between the intersecting streets to change the direction of the respective projected images to indicate the desired changes in traiic travel.

10. In a traiiic signaling device, a revoluble shaped direction indicating light source, means to mount said light source adjacent to an intersection of streets, a plurality of image producers, means to mount said shaped-image producers on said means to be interposed betweenY said light source and intersecting streets radially of said light source and in line with desired locations thereon with respect to said intersection and means to revolve said light source through angles corresponding to the angles between the intersecting streets to change the direction of the respective projected images to indicate desired changes in traffic travel.

11. In a traffic signaling device, a revoluble shaped direction indicating light source, means to mount said light source adjacent to an intersection of streets, a plurality' of lenses, means to mount said lenses on said means radially of said light source and substantially in line with points on said streets adjustable for street intersections of various angles and means to revolve said light source through angles corresponding with the angles between said intersect-ing streets to change the direction of the respective projected images to indicate the desired changes in trafiic travel, said means being also ad'- justable for street intersections of various angles.

12. In a'signaling device, a lamp casing suitably supported with respect to a medium, a lamp having a shaped light source, means $5 to revolubly mount said lamp within said casing, a plurality of lenses mounted in said casing radially of said lamp and in line with desired signaling image locations on said medium, mechanism to revolve said lamp 40 through predetermined angles and means to actuate said revolving mechanism. A

13. In a signaling device, a casing divided into two compartments by heat insulating material, means to support said casing above a medium, a lamp having a shaped light source, means to revolubly mount said lamp in the lower compartment on said partition and mechanism to revolve said lamp through predetermined angles and means to actuate said revolving mechanism mounted in 'said upper compartment and heat insulated from said lamp by said partition.

14. In a trafic signaling device, a revoluble lamp having an arrow shaped filament, means to mount said lamp adjacent to an intersection of streets, a plurality of image producers, means to mount said image producers on said means between said filamentand intersecting streets radiallyrof said filament and in line with desired locations with respect to said intersection and means to revolve said filament through langles corresponding to the angles between said intersect- 65 ing streets to change the direction of the respective projected lament images to indicate the desired changes in trafiic travel.

15. In a signaling device, the combination of a lamp casing, means to mount said casing above a medium, a double headed arrow shaped light source revolubly mounted within said casing, a plurality of lenses, means to mount said lenses within said casing radially of said light source and in line with the desired image locations on the medium, gravlty actuated mechanism to revolve said lamp through predetermined angles, a solenoid to actuate said revolving mechanism and means to energize said solenoid, the lenses being so placed in relation to the light source that the spherical aberration of the lenses cuts off one head of the arrow in the projected arrow images.

16. In a signaling device, the combination of a lamp casing, means to mountv said casing above a medium, an incandescent lamp having a double headed arrow shaped filamentA revolubly mounted within said casing, a plurality of lenses, means to mount said lenses within said casing underneath said filament radially thereof and in line with the desired image locations on the medium, gravity actuated mechanism to revolve said lamp through predetermined angles, a solenoid to actuate said revolving mechanism and means` to energize said solenoid, the lenses being so placed in relation to the filament that the spherical aberration of the lenses cuts off one head of the arrow in the projected arrow images.

17. In a signaling device, the combination of an incandescentl electric lamp having adouble headed arrow shaped filament and a plurality of lenses, means positioning said lenses in the pathof light rays facing different directions from sald filament to project in different direct-ions images thereof on a medium and means to change the position of said lamp and filament and hence the location and direction of said images, the lenses being so placed in relation to the filament that the spherical aberration of the lenses cuts off one head of the arrow in each projected arrow image.

18. In a signaling device, the combination of an incandescent electric lamp having a double headed arrow shaped filament and a lurality of lenses, means positioning said enses in the path of light rays facing different directions from said filament to project in different directions images thereof on a medium, the lenses being so placed in relation to the filament that the spherical aberration of the'lenses cuts off one head of the arrow in each pro'ected arrow image.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

JOSEPH EMILE AMYOT. 

